Buffalo Bills News - February 14, 2001

The Buffalo Guy [11:29 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'...as he goes riding into the sunset this week after five decades of service to Buffalo journalism. He [Larry Felser] has been synonymous with Bills coverage since Day One. I wish him the best in his retirement.'

Vikings' Chris Walsh serving sentence in Arizona's "Tent City" [11:12 AM]Star Tribune reports:
'Inmates work on chain gangs, eat ostrich casserole, among other menu items, and are prohibited from drinking coffee. Troublemakers are fed bread-and-water diets as part of Arpaio's deterrence program. The average meal at Tent City costs 45 cents to provide, according to Arpaio.

'Arpaio also has installed Web cameras throughout the jail. Internet users can view inmate activity at http://www.mcso.org. [No Bills Content]'

Gray takes over as Bills DC [11:08 AM]Syracuse Online reports:
'While he plans to instill his aggressive get-after-the-ball philosophy, Gray is aware that he can't foul up what has consistently been one of the league's best defensive units since 1997.'

Leaf hasn't even bothered meeting Butler & Smith [11:05 AM]Union Tribune reports:
'John Butler & A.J. Smith, Buffalo's ex-head office team, have not even been introduced to Ryan Leaf, the poster child for spoiled players. Another reason why rumors keep flying about Rob Johnson or Doug Flutie going to San Diego keep appearing. Of course with with the Chargers having previously a 1-15 season, any moves made by Butler are going to look good.'

No gray areas: Bills defense to attack [8:55 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Buffalo Bills' new defensive coordinator, Jerry Gray, isn't ready to say he wants to re-create the defensive scheme he helped coach in Tennessee the past two years. But he definitely wants to re-create the results.'

Thomas will retire as member of Bills [8:54 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Thurman Thomas plans to retire and will sign a one-day contract with Buffalo so he can leave the NFL as a Bill, his agent said Tuesday.'

Dolphins' T. Thomas to retire -- in Buffalo [7:32 AM]Miami Herald reports:
'"His desire is to retire as a Buffalo Bill, after the long and successful career that he had there," Steinberg said. "That seems right to him."'

Thomas to end career as a Bill [6:46 AM]Palm Beach Post reports:
'"He would hope to play a few more years, but Thurman is very intelligent," Steinberg said. "He wants to go out on top and cap what should be a Hall of Fame career in the right way. Clearly pushing it to try and continue playing is not something he wants to do."'

T. Thomas set to retire a Bill [6:44 AM]Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel reports:
'But by waiving Thomas before March 1, the Dolphins save $100,000 due to a roster bonus Thomas was scheduled to receive.'

Talks stall between Bills, Moulds [6:09 AM]D and C reports:
'Greg Johnson, Moulds' New Orleans-based representative...characterized the talks as "at a standstill" but he remained confident that Moulds will be re-signing with the Bills well before the free agency signing period begins March 2.'

February 13, 2001

Williams introduces his staff [10:25 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
On the defensive philosophy: "We're going to play the run with numbers and play the pass with speed." On the inexperience factor in the Bills special teams: "I'm not sure how big a factor the inexperience was. We're in the process of going through the tape and evaluating the problems."

Bills agree to terms with Pat Thomas [7:01 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'The 46-year old Thomas enters his eighth year coaching defensive backs in the NFL. He spent the past two years running his own business. His previous stops included the Colts (1994-97) and the Oilers (1990-92). He began his coaching career with the Houston Gamblers (USFL) in 1983 ...'

'Traditionally, Buffalo has been a 3-4 defensive team, but Williams won't stop there. He will run some 4-3 man and even more 4-6 zone. The Bills might get outplayed next season, but they won't be outschemed with Williams at the helm.'

NFL Free Agency Summary of Buffalo Bills [1:33 PM]NFLTalk.com reports:
NFLTalk says that 'Flutie is willing to restructure (get more bonus money rather than salary) contract to lower number if he is named starting QB.'

Seeking QB Canadian relief will be difficult [1:30 PM]CBS Sportsline reports:
'Since there are not many NFL-caliber QBs available to draft this year, one
option for the Bills is to sign a CFL QB when Flutie or Johnson is cut. Unfortunately it is not as easy as it sounds for CFL players need to be signed by end of February and both hot prospects have no training camp experience hence money needs to come out of rookie pool.'

Lots and lots of heart in Buffalo [8:58 AM]USA Today reports:
Nice article about the fine people of WNY: "This lovable rust-belt city is full of blue-collar guys of every ethnic background who get together on Sunday to watch the Bills and remove their shirts in 35-degree weather. (We) support everything from tractor pulls to the philharmonic -- and hardly any drive-by shootings..."

Flutie is new favorite for QB job [8:56 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'I'd like to re-speculate. I think Johnson will be slipped the queen of spades and Flutie will be the starting quarterback for the 2001 season.'

Kelly welcomes 'Day of Hope' [6:43 AM]USA Today reports:
'"I learned about his toughness because we see what he goes through and are amazed by how he pulls through. It makes me realize that football was fun, but this is real tough."'

Bills hire five more assistants [5:57 AM]D and C reports:
'New Buffalo Bills coach Gregg Williams officially added five more assistants to his staff yesterday, including two holdovers from the 2000 season -- Chuck Lester and John Levra.'

February 12, 2001

Saints emulating Buffalo - expanding base [9:34 PM]Sun Herald reports:
'Buffalo, which has two fortune 500 companies, use the power of the medium sized businesses to increase the market share and ticket sales. Now the Saints, which has only ONE fortune 500 companies is trying to do the same.'

Kaiser takes coaching job in Buffalo [8:20 PM]Stillwater News Press reports:
'Kaiser is the second former Cowboys' coach to join Williams' staff in Buffalo. Ronnie Vinklarek, OSU's offensive line coach for two years, has also joined the Bills staff.'

Bills hire three assistant coaches [8:14 PM]AP reports:
'Neal, 51, was the offensive assistant for Titans coach Jeff Fisher...Kaiser, 48, spent six seasons at Oklahoma State...Kragthorpe, 35, has been the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M for the past three seasons.'

Bills agree to terms with three more assistants [5:06 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'The Bills today announced that the team has agreed to terms with three more assistant coaches - Tommy Kaiser (offensive assistant/special teams assistant), Steve Kragthorpe (quarterbacks) and Dan Neal (tight ends).'

Donahoe and media meet (off the record) [1:22 PM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'"I expect criticism...it's the personal stuff I don't want. If you don't like me because of the color of my hair or the color of my eyes, I can't do anything about that, and that has no place in reporting. "But," he continued, "if you want to criticize our moves or our decisions, you have every right to do that...in fact, it's your responsibility."'

Is RB-by-Committee Finally Dead? [11:09 AM]fanball.com reports:
'Phillips was fired on January 8th, opening the door for the gifted Bryson to challenge the hulking Morris for the starter's role in Gregg Williams' new offense. Williams' familiarity with Eddie George should insure that he knows the value of establishing a workhorse back.'

Bills new defensive coordinator all about adjustments [11:00 AM]WGR55 reports:
'Gray has the same aggressive, attack style approach that Williams does disguising their defensive intentions with a host of different packages. But what he's most interested in pulling off is the big play, "I know two years ago when we (Titans) went to the Super Bowl the defense really stepped up.'